One year after the Chicago Bears made a miraculous run to the Super Bowl, they returned to normal again. Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention Monday night as they lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 20-13, in the MetroDome. 

Chicago (5-9) was a pre-season pick by many to return to the Super Bowl again in February in Phoenix. The Bears went 13-3 last year and used Soldier Field as their meal ticket to Miami and Super Bowl XLI.

The Bears lost to the Colts, 29-17, in the Super Bowl but the stage was set for Chicago to make plenty of return trips to the world biggest game. The defense was outstanding last season. It was suppose to be the cornerstone for several NFL championships for the team from windy city.

The Bears main concern heading into the 2007 season was their offense. If Chicago could’ve put together some sort of passing attack to compliment a better-than-average running game, the Bears would be living the high life again.

Chicago entered this season with three average journeymen at quarterback at best. Rex Grossman, Brian Griese, and Kyle Orton have had their shot at running the Bears offense. The results have been disappointing for all three but we will give Orton a mulligan. Orton’s start Monday night against the Vikings was his first since his rookie campaign in 2005. 

Orton showed off his abilities during 2005 season when he established Bears rookie records for games started, wins, pass attempts, completions, yards and tied for TDs while leading Chicago to an 8-game win streak (10/16-12/4), the 2nd-most wins by a rookie QB since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 (Ben Roethlisberger, 13 in 2004).

Orton led the Bears to a division title by starting 15 games as a rookie while helping Chicago to a 10-5 record in those contests. He set Bears rookie records with 15 starts, 10 wins, 368 pass attempts, 190 completions, 1,869 yards and 9 TD passes (tie). He was the first Bears QB to start more than 13 games in a season since Erik Kramer started all 16 in 1995.

Orton’s phenomenal rookie season normally would’ve called for a huge contract extension but instead the tight-wad Bears sent him back to the bench in favor of Grossman.

Orton completed 22 of 36 passes for 184 yards against the Vikings. He throw one interception late in the game but the rust showed as many of Orton’s throws were way off target.

The Bears haven’t named a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers (12-2) at Soldier Field. The Bears need to evaluate Orton the last two games of the season and therefore should start him.

Two of these three journeymen clowns will not be in Chicago next season. The Bears need to open up their checkbook and sign a prized free agent quarterback or they need to trade up and draft a franchise QB.

Chicago has never had a superstar quarterback in the 31 years I’ve been following the NFL. The best QB the Bears had was the lovable, Jim McMahon. McMahon led the Bears to their only Super Bowl win in 1985.

When you think of a dynasty in the NFL, their usually is a Hall of Fame quarterback at the helm. Terry Bradshaw (Steelers – 1970′s), Joe Montana (49ers – 1980′s), Troy Aikman (Cowboys – 1990′s) and Tom Brady (Patriots – 2000′s) all have led their teams to multiple Super Bowl titles. Brady is the only one not in the Hall of Fame. He has a few years to wait before he gets a call from Canton. 

Add in John Elway and Brett Favre and the recipe for success in the NFL starts at the quarterback position.

Orton will be around next year with the Bears as a backup but Grossman and Griese will be shown the door. 

I don’t know how long it will take the Bears organization to realize that they need to get a franchise quarterback. I’m not a so-called expert like Skip Bayless and Kevin Blackistone, but the solution to the Bears problems will be standing on the opposite sidelines Sunday at Soldier Field.

Number 4 will be  suiting up for his 252nd consecutive start. The Packers don’t have a good track record in the NFL draft (Tony Mandarich, Brett Fullwood, John Michels, etc.) but they always seemed to draft a quarterback each year. The trade for Favre in 1991 revived a dormat franchise in the little town of Green Bay.

Here is a few words of advice for Chicago management – sign Donovan McNabb in the offseason before the Vikings get him. McNabb has several good years in him. A change of pace would be good for McNabb and great for your franchise.